andrewroy-04316
The Big Short is just a very good movie. All of the performances are very good, and of course the cast is phenomenal. I always love a well-done true story movie, and this is a fascinating story that accurately captures the unfortunate realities of finances. Direction is extremely impressive, and the weaving of characters and stories was very well handled. Would've liked to see even more from the other sides of the story, as it was primarily focused on those who bet on the short, but it's a reasonable choice to make. Very satisfying and well done, and very real.
Gavin Purtell
Based on the true story of how the Global Financial Crisis (GFC) came about from 2005-2008, 'The Big Short' tells the story really well by mixing humour, facts (delivered in an unconventional way by celebrities) and following four tenuously-linked groups who have skin in the game. Vennett (Gosling) introduces us at the start of 2005, via a unique fourth-wall-breaking monologue, placing the players on the field - I'm using this terminology, as most of the film (and Wall Street in general) can be likened to gambling. It may sound boring on the surface - a film about banking and finance - but it does a great job of explaining the terminology in simple terms, whilst not being condescending about it.The groups involved are Burry (Bale), a fund manager and prodigy of sorts, who first sees the housing bubble and notices that the big banks have been over-valuing mortgages (sub-prime). Baum (Carell) and his small company are offered the opportunity to "short" the banks' mortgages by Vennett. Geller (Magaro) & Shipley (Wittrock), two young entrepreneurs, who seek help from their mentor, retired Wall St mogul Rickert (Pitt) also pick up on what' happening and get in on the action. It's great to see the banks gleefully taking their money, being so cocky and greedy, only to have it all blow up in their faces two years later.I think Carell, not Bale, should have been Oscar-nominated for Best Supporting Actor! Baum serves as the film's moral centre and calls everyone on their fraudulent behaviour. The film almost acts as a documentary when it delves down to the individual family level and makes you truly realise how little these large corporations care for other humans. The most bittersweet part is the ending - "and then the crooks went to jail, Congress brought in reform and the fraudulent system was overhauled - just joking! They didn't go to jail, Congress was lobbied so no reform was passed and the big banks were bailed out by the taxpayers" - funny, sad, and true. Really makes you think, but is also a well-made film with excellent acting.
richardburnettnz
If you ever wanted to understand (on a easy to follow basis) why everything went wrong in 2007 and caused the Global Financial Crisis, then this is the movie for you. Even if you aren't interested in why, this movies offers insight into a world only few of us can ever really get our heads around.Unexpectedly funny and informative, this will outline why the system was doomed to fail, all but for a small handful of people who saw what was coming and made millions from a financial disaster.
Harrison Tweed (Top Dawg)
I really enjoyed this film and how it portrayed the housing bubble collapse of the mid-2000. The cast were all very convincing in their roles - especially Steve Carell, of which I'm used to seeing him in funny roles, did a great job in the serious portrayal of his character.I felt the film was a little long, and some parts should have been edited out, but overall an entertaining and informative film.It's a 9/10 from me!
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